2024 Open Forum // TM&D - FICPI goes to the movies

FICPI Goes to the movies!

From a toy doll to the big screen, the phenomenon of the ‘Barbie’ movie highlighted the integral nature of IP rights in the film industry.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz has gone on record saying that his company is “an I.P. company this is managing franchises”, while previously “[we] used to think of ourselves and present ourselves as a manufacturing company”, a clear declaration of the value of IP to the movie business.

IP permeates the entire process of film making, particularly trade marks, copyright and confidential information. From registering the ‘Harry Potter’ trade mark, to securing the rights to use ‘I Will Always Love You’ as a title song, to the product placement of ‘Aston Martin’ cars and ‘Omega’ watches in the ‘James Bond’ franchise, IP rights shape each stage of the process from script to screen. Licensing of the key trade marks used in films is also a lucrative source of income, with merchandise often being more profitable than ticket sales, so clearance and securing ownership of the relevant rights is essential. 

Hear from experienced practitioners about the protection, enforcement and exploitation of the relevant IP rights and whether the modern film franchise model is more focused on cross-platform marketing and merchandising goals than art.

Moderator: Kate O'Rourke
Speakers: Megan Bannigan, Mabel Klimt, Jordan Kim